Well, I've decided, I'll update this once a week, so I'll have time to work on each chapter. That should make everything a lot easier. I haven't decided many pairings for this story, but I'm open to suggestions. There will be some hinted pairings in this chapter though... Just before I decided to update with this chapter, I was working on chapter 4, but I won't update with three until next week UNLESS I get more reviews. And not just one or three. Also, I fixed some things in Chapter 1, so make sure to check it out! Notable changes: Runa is now Kawa, Obito and Akai are now Ookami Obito and Ookami Akai

Obito: Well, time for review replies!

Aurora Maryte: I'm glad you like it! But, sadly, some of those things you want to learn won't be for awhile... I won't say which ones and when though! Kudo for you for being the first reviewer!

Reiko no Tori: How could I not make Obito late? It makes him all the better! I just can't wait to start making excuses for him (they seem to be fun to come up with... heehee) I'm also glad you like it! It would also ruin the fun of having Kakashi surprised at his's ex-teammate's comeback from the dead. Kudos to you for being the second reviewer!

Tobi: Hmm... We need more reviewers...

Deidara: I agree, yeah.

Itachi: ...

Obito: Um... Itachi... you can... put that mangekyou away... We don't need anyone to come and arrest us for murder...

Deidara: I agree to that too, yeah. Oh, Mai-chan doesn't own any of us, though she wishes she did, un. I would be afraid if she owned us though, un.

Itachi: Foolish little people, if you wish to continue reading, detest flames, and survive me in an unsightly way. Read, read and cling to your computer.


Chapter 2 - Setting out Alive - Konoha's Ex-Uchiha Returns!

"Tsuki-sensei?" Mai knocked on the door of a rather plain house. At one point, the building may have been white, but now it had faded to a rather dark beige. The roof was still a bright red, and the door held the three red slash marks through a silver circle insignia. The mark of a Shiki.

There was a curse inside, following by several crashing noises. Mai was about to open the door and see what was going on when the door opened to a rather dishelved Tsuki. "Ah, Mai…" Tsuki chuckled. "Come on in."

Mai entered, noting that a rather large pile of scrolls was occupying the tiny living room where a bunch of old, beaten up pillows were scattered for somewhere for someone to sit, though they probably hadn't been used in years. A small table sat in a corner, also littered with colorful scrolls and a couple books. The kitchen was messy, with several empty ramen cups lying about and a rather full garbage from what Mai could see through the half open door. A dark hallway led to the bedroom and bathroom, and there was laundry lying about everywhere, but mostly at the head of the hallway.

"Tsuki… I think you need to clean up a bit." Mai pointed out the obvious. Tsuki didn't reply with anything but a snort, and motioned for her to follow him through the disaster area to the bedroom. Mai did so, stepping over the laundry and scrolls. She held her breath in fear of what just might come from the kitchen as she passed it. She also avoided looking into kitchen in fear of a giant mountain of waste food. She would really have to get her uncle to clean his house when they finished on the mission.

Unlike the rest of the house, the bedroom was neat and orderly. A shelf was almost filled with fragile looking scrolls, their once bright colors faded and dust ridden. A desk was in the corner, a paintbrush set and several blank scrolls straight and orderly. The bed was put away into the closet, and a small table occupied the middle of the room, a small box occupying it. Another door leading to the bathroom was visible, but closed. Mai decided that was probably a good idea, compared to the rest of the house, unless it was anything like the bedroom.

"First off, the reason I was last to arrive to the meeting was this." Tsuki grabbed a box that had been sitting on the desk. He handled it carefully, handing it to her. "Open it."

She did so, and let out a squeak of surprise. Inside the box was what was left of one of Tsuki's favorite blankets, a soft downy white blanket she had given him several years earlier. In the middle was a rather scrawny kitten, black in color, with three scratches on its shoulder, similar to the clan symbol. Its eyes were twin pools of turquoise as it looked up and blinked in the sudden light before letting out a tiny yawn and a pitiful squeak.

"I found him when I was on my way to the office. So I brought him back, took what was left of my blanket, since my latest summon thought it would make good rags, and made him as comfy as possible. But you'd probably be able to really train him. I maybe a Shiki, but I know your mother was the one who excelled at cat care." Tsuki nodded.

"Poor thing." was all Mai said, stroking the kitten with gentle fingers. Fingers that had killed several times before. No one noted this.

"Next is this. Your mother left it in my care when you were born. Seeing as I forgot to give it to you long ago, I'll give it to you now." Tsuki opened a package. He reached inside and pulled out a silver chain that ended in a swirl-patterned ruby with obsidian flecks.

"Wow, its beautiful…" Mai gasped, her eyes widening. Tsuki gently put it over her head, and then smiled.

"You're looking more and more like sis. That necklace came from our cousin, who I'm proud to say was a great man, until he went and died. But I think he'd be glad to have such a pretty little kunoichi wearing it." Tsuki ruffled her hair affectionately. "Now you get home before this little fellow goes hungry."

"Yes sir!" Mai smiled, fingering the necklace, then picking up the blanket and kitten. "Oh, and we're going to all meet at the ramen house at seven."

"Hm… Sounds good…" Tsuki grinned, thinking of ramen. "But anyways, you hurry home now."

"Yeah yeah… You're starting to sound like Rei." Mai laughed, running out of the house as an insult was flung at her, along with a box.


The clouds stopped their rumbling around four that day. By seven, the stars were already out, the last wisps of clouds racing to catch up with their darker brethren. Obito and Akai were racing to see who got to the ramen house first. Obito, in all his late glory, got to the ramen house half an hour after Akai and everyone else arrived. But, expecting this, Akai had already ordered Obito's ramen just the way he liked it, and it was served to him in no time at all. Then he was introduced to their newest team member, Kuro
the cat. Kuro just blinked at them before he was fed a bottle of kitten formula by the now mother-like Mai. When Akai went to scratch the little kitten behind the ears, Kuro growled and tried to attack him. Mai warned Akai that he needed to wash his hands with some strong smelling soap to hide the smell of the Ookami families' wolf familiars. Obito managed to scratch the cat and laugh at Akai at the same time.

As soon as the ramen was finished, the five made their way to their favorite break area. It had a small waterfall, made bigger by all the rain. The rocks were already drying, so the group made themselves comfy. The nearly full moon shone down on them as they chatted, all excited for the upcoming mission.

"We should go stay in a really expensive hotel." Akai started. "That way, when the Hokage doesn't have us on a mission, we can sit back and relax in style and comfort."

"I want to stay somewhere where the moon shines down, and there is a great view of the village. Like, something romantic." Mai stated, her eyes shining in the moonlight. Akai and Obito's faces flushed as they both imagined something romantic with the Shiki girl, but it was lost in the pale light.

"Actually, I think there was a place like that…" Obito stated. "Although I don't think I'd mind spending time with my parents and cousin."

"I really don't care where we stay, as long as its near an herb shop." Tsume was fingering a bear claw necklace he had been given at birth. It was finally the right size for him, having been way too big when he was younger.

"Of course, Tsume's got to get all the herbs." Mai remembered one mission when Tsume hadn't gotten the herbs needed for an antidote, nearly costing them Akai's life. Akai seemed to be remembering that mission too as he agreed fervently.

"Well, the Hokage is supposedly a master medic nin. I'm sure you could have a nice long chat with her about healing, Tsume." Tsuki ruffled the medic's hair. Tsume swatted the hand away with a grin before fixing his hair.

"I wonder how we'll get the sand-nins to not kill us on site though." Obito voiced. Mai and Tsume nodded in agreement, though they both were thinking the same as Akai.

"Well, maybe that's the point of wearing our masks." Akai pointed out. "We're going to go as ANBU, but after that, we're Team Claw again. Just like old times, eh?"

"Yeah. We're the only five-man team too. Remember how everyone else was jealous, because we started getting harder missions to spread out the team work?" Mai started in another direction.

"Yes, but back to the original problem. Where are we going to stay when we get to Konoha?" Tsume pointed out. "And where we stay depends on our budget."

"Well, I guess we'll see when we get there, eh? I'm sure the Hokage will set us up somewhere though. We all should bring what money we can. That way we don't have to get side missions to get money." Tsuki ordered. "Alright?"

"Yes sir." They replied.

"Alright then. Everyone get some sleep tonight, we're going to be doing some fast traveling tomorrow. Dismissed!" Tsuki said, standing up and disappearing into the darkness.

"Good night everyone!" Mai stood and waved before following her uncle. They could hear her yelling after their sensei to "wait up!"

"Well, I shall see you later. Akai, I'll examine you tomorrow." Tsume stood, fixed his glasses before stalking off into the darkness.

"Say, Obito, could I stay at your place again?" Akai asked. "I'll have to go home in the morning though to get my stuff finalized."

"Yeah. Just this time… Don't use the bathroom every half an hour." Obito chuckled as Akai glared at him.

"Whatever." Akai playfully swatted at Obito's head, but only got a handful of hair. They stood and strolled home together, both excited at the next day's mission.


Obito blinked. He was walking to the gates with his team. No one seemed especially focused on getting to the gate at the appointed time today it seemed. The gate came into focus, revealing that not even the Yajuukage was there yet. There was something going on today. Obito could feel it. The other four could only grin sheepishly at him, hoping their code wasn't busted.

The truth was, Obito was about twenty minutes earlier than usual. This was new for Team Claw, seeing as Obito tended to be exactly three hours late. They stopped by the gate, and only a moment later, the Yajuukage appeared. He blanched at Obito's not-as-late-as-usual-ness before he coughed, recomposed himself, then held out five pouches.

"Each of these pouches holds your passport, your permission pass for entering Konoha, some extra money, and some free ramen passes that Tsunade-sama sent for you. You should have your IDs and ANBU licenses as well as your other ANBU wear, including masks. Just outside Konoha, I expect you will change. And it seems you all have your ANBU swords as well. You are to enter Konoha as Kawa ANBU and proceed straight to Tsunade-sama. She should have set up a place for you all to stay, possibly in the Hokage Tower itself. Please be courteous and remember that you are representing Kawagakure. May the wind be on your backs, the earth guiding your feet, the water keep you fresh, and the fire burning in your hearts." The Yajuukage handed a pouch to each member. Each pouch was a different color. Obito had orange, Mai had blue, Akai had red, Tsume had brown, and Tsuki had black. Each person stuck the pouch deep inside their Shinobi pouches then bowing their heads to the Yajuukage, they were off.

"Alright team. It only takes about half a day to reach Konoha, so we should be in by early evening. We'll proceed straight to Hokage-sama and 'check in,' see what we have to do, then we'll proceed from there. If we don't have to do anything for the night, we'll head out and get some ramen." Tsuki explained their plan.

"Sounds good." Tsume hopped to regain speed and height. They were traveling quite fast, though that was their usual speed. Along the way, Obito struck up a game of I-spy, only for it to loose its style quick, for the only things they could actually spy were clothing, a team mate, or something that they continuously passed, such as trees or the sky. Eventually, the group spread out, though keeping each other in view. Of the parts the teams hated the most about missions, it was getting there. But this team had developed their stamina and speed to the point where it didn't take all that long to actually get somewhere.

The three younger boys gathered eventually to discuss what they usually discussed when their leader and female teammate were absent, although absent was about ten to twenty meters away. That thing was girls.

"I think I would like a girl who loves to go on midnight walks under the full moon and who is graceful and plays some sort of wind instrument..." Obito voiced. Tsume and Akai just looked at him.

"That sounds like-" Akai started. He winked at Tsume.

"A certain-" Tsume continued expertly, his eye's sparkling behind his shades as he smirked.

"Kunoichi we know." the two finished together. "Named Mairu."

Obito's face went totally red. He grinned. "How did you know?" he asked. At least he wouldn't have to say anything. Though he could be a loud mouth, and he was twenty seven, soon to be twenty eight, he was still rather shy when it came to females. "Please don't tell her..."

"Why, are you embarassed?" Akai teased.

"Yes. I'm very embarassed." Obito admitted. "I've never been that good when it came to... Girls..."

Akai and Tsume were silent. Finally, Akai spoke up. "Well, I guess you're my rival than."

Obito looked up at Akai sharply. "What?"

"He likes Mai too." Tsume explained. Obito blinked, then laughed as it was Akai's turn for a red face. This conversation soon went different ways.

They stopped for a quick break, in which Mai fed a highly annoyed Kuro, who had been a 'secret' pocket of her rather long jacket. After Kuro finally fell asleep again, they struck up their pace and headed out. In no time at all, the five were only a mile from Konoha. They stopped again.

Everyone wrapped a long jacket around himself or herself, excluding Mai and Tsuki, who already wore their long coats, although the coats weren't the official ANBU wear. They strapped their swords on their back, the handle to either the left or right, depending on whether the person was left or right handed. Then each member pulled a mask on. Mai had a cat mask, Tsuki a tiger, Tsume a bear, Akai a dog, and Obito a wolf. Kuro, who refused to go back to sleep, was placed on Mai's shoulder, where he sat and watched everything go by. The five "ANBU" then made their way to Konoha.

The light was beginning to fail as Konoha finally came into sight. There were a couple of Chuunin standing guard at the gate. They perked up at the approaching Team Claw.

"State your business." One called.

"We're here to see Tsunade-sama. Here's our papers." Tsuki stepped forwards, handing over the five permission passes. "We're ninja from Kawagakure."

"Ah, Hokage-sama warned us. Come with me." One of the Chuunin waved to them. They started forward and followed.

Konoha was a lot like Kawa, only where the waterfall would have been, there were five faces carved into the cliff walls. And the training areas seemed to be outside the village walls, unlike Kawa's training areas. There were people everywhere as they made their way home in the darkening twilight. The group moved quickly but not without observing. Akai noted the ramen house while Tsume, Obito, and Mai noted several inns. Mai also spotted the bathhouse and hot springs. She smiled beneath her mask.

Along the way, the group passed over a bridge. A boy and a girl were there, looking rather sad. They perked up and looked at the five "ANBU."

"Ah, Sakura-san. Do you think you could escort these ANBU to the Hokage? She's been expecting them, and I need to continue gate duty." The Chuunin asked the girl.

"Ah yes!" Sakura had light bubblegum pink hair and emerald eyes. She wore a red sleeveless shirt with a white 'O' on the back and a black and white skirt. On her right thigh was her shuriken holster, supported by tape. Her elbows were protected by white cloth that wouldn't even begin to stop a kunai. Her hitai ate, sporting Konoha's leaf, was on her head, but it was holding her hair off her forehead, which was rather large. Peeking out from her shinobi pouch were some rather tough looking black gloves. She wore the normal black shinobi shoes, but they were looking a bit like boots with full shin guards extending from the boot up.

The boy had bright golden hair while his eyes would make the sky feel ashamed. On his face were marks similar to whiskers, three to each side. He wore a jacket that was half black, half orange, with a red swirl on the back and on the shoulder. He wore orange khakis with his holster on his right thigh, like most ninja. He had black shinobi shoes on and the normal shinobi pouch. His hitai ate had been lengthened and sat on his forehead, the excess band hanging off to flutter in the slight breeze. He grinned.

"I'm going to come too! Its been a while since I've seen Granny Tsunade!" the boy jumped off the railing. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto!"

Akai, Obito, and Mai resisted replying to Naruto, while Tsuki merely nodded. "Right. Lead the way please."

Sakura nodded, turning and leading the way while the Chuunin headed back for the gate. Naruto fell into step beside Obito. "Hello, who are you?"

Tsuki threw a look at Obito, though it was missed. Fortunately, Obito knew what he should and shouldn't do. "Maybe another time kid. I'm on a mission right now." Naruto gave him a look that told Obito he was "spoiling the fun" but Obito couldn't jeopardize the mission now. Not like it would really do anything.

The Hokage Tower loomed ahead of them, making them feel smaller than they were. But they ignored the feeling as they entered. Showing their passes to the ANBU inside, they were led to an office. There were hushed voices inside, which went silent as Sakura knocked.

"Come in." a woman's voice called. Sakura pushed the door open and entered, followed by the five Kawa ninjas and finally Naruto.

Inside were a woman, a man, and a teenager. The woman was amazingly beautiful, wearing a pastel green jacket to contrast her pale blonde hair. Her eyes were also pale, though they were brown. Under the green jacket was a very pale green obi, tied at the waist with a blue sash. She wore simple navy blue capris. Finally, she wore more formal looking shinobi sandals. She was currently seated on a large pillow.

The man had silver hair that looked like it was falling off to the left, yet still suspended. His left eye was covered with his hitai ate while the lower half of his face was hidden under a black mask. His only showing eye was dark brown, nearly black. He wore a black shirt that looked like it was connected to his mask, but if it wasn't, it was hidden behind a green Jounin style vest. He had black pants that extended halfway down his calves before tape took over and finished with his blue shinobi style shoes. His hands were covered with black fingerless gloves with a steel plate bearing the Konoha leaf. Obito inaudibly gasped as he saw this man.

Finally, the teenager in the room. His brown hair was pulled back in a wild, puffy bun. His eyes were nearly the same color of his hair. His face was covered with a scowl, though it didn't seem like an angry looking scowl. More like an annoyed scowl. He wore a green Chuunin style vest with a black shirt underneath that ended in what looked like a fishnet shirt. His pants were black and also ended halfway down his calves, though they continued with fishnet stocking to his black shinobi shoes. Tape wound around his right thigh where the shuriken holster would usually go. He narrowed his eyes.

"How troublesome." The teen shoved his hands in his pockets before stepping to the side of the room.

"We're the ninjas sent by Yajuukage." Tsuki stepped forwards, brandishing a letter that none of the others knew about. "Kawa is now in your service, Lady Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade, the woman, took the letter. She opened it, scanned the contents, than looked up. "Alright. So, you're "Team Claw." Leader, Shiki Tsuki. Oh, please take off your masks as I say your names." Tsuki took off his mask respectfully. "Alright. Next is Tsuki's niece, Shiki Mairu, known as Mai." Mai took off her mask.

"Nice to meet you, Tsunade-sama." Mai smiled, allowing her mask to hang across her right shoulder.

"Nice to meet you too, Mai." Tsunade returned the smile, then looked back down to the letter. "Next is the medic nin, Kangohei Tsume." Tsume pulled his mask off and nodded silently. "And then one of the two Ookami's. Ookami Akai." Akai took off his mask and grinned.

"That's me. Ookami Akai, one of the few still standing. Of course, this one right here would probably still be standing long after me, seeing as he's not truly an Ookami." Akai wrapped his arm around Obito. Obito began to suffocate, wriggling, trying to escape the tight grip of his adopted brother.

"Akai…" Mai hissed. Akai grinned and freed Obito. Obito let out a sigh of relief as he got air back to his depleted lungs.

"And last but not least, the other Ookami. A former Konoha ninja?" Tsunade looked up sharply. Obito twitched as all eyes zeroed in on him, though most were just to see his reaction. "Adopted by the Ookami clan, Ookami Obito."

The silver haired Jounin's only eye widened quite a bit. He really focused on the last ninja as the gloved hand reached up and removed his mask. His heart nearly stopped as he realized. Obito had returned.

"So, Obito, mind to tell me who you used to be?" Tsunade asked, setting down the letter.

"Uchiha Obito, ma'am. Supposedly killed in action." Obito's eye wandered to the silver haired Jounin, his heart thudding painfully.

The teen stepped forward, along with Naruto. "What? But all but two of the Uchihas were killed off!" they spoke together. Obito's eyes widened at this.

"All but two killed?" Obito gritted his teeth in anger. "Who killed them?" He had all but forgotten about the silver haired ninja who was trying to make sense of what the heck had just happened and how Obito could be standing here in front of him.

"Another Uchiha. Uchiha Itachi. He disappeared right afterwards. The other survivor was his younger brother Sasuke.

Silence reigned the room. The brown haired Chuunin looked at each person in the room, then murmured something that sounded a bit like "Troublesome."

"Excuse me." Tsuki spoke up. "As leader of this group, its my responsibility for my teammates. We've only been traveling half a day, but that is because of our higher speeds, so we are a bit on the tired side. If you don't have any duties for us to perform right away, we would like to find somewhere to stay so we can rest."

"Oh yes, I'm sorry Tsuki. I've already set up a place for you. Shikamaru here will lead you there. Tomorrow morning, you are to meet me here. I will tell you a few of the missions I have planned for you. Alright?" Tsunade sat back, picking up the letter again.

"Yes ma'am." Tsuki bowed his head. The others did as well. The brown haired Chuunin came to attention.

"Alright, I'm Nara Shikamaru. Just follow me." He ordered, obviously used to being the leader. The six filed out, Mai and Akai to either side of an enraged Obito.

Naruto and Sakura were about to follow, their job done, when Tsunade called out. "Wait. You two stay here."

They paused, looked at one another, then closed the door and stood in front of Tsunade. Kakashi looked to Tsunade.

"Alright. Team Seven is now assigned higher-level missions than usual. You'll be working with the Kawa Ninja, since you know about Akatsuki. I may also assign others in and out, especially Team Gai's members, since they too have come face to face with Akatsuki. But you'll always be working with them. Each one of them are Jounin level, and therefore are probably stronger in different ways than you two. Their main mission is going to be tracking down and dealing with Akatsuki. Naruto, due to Kyuubi, you will be with them a lot." Tsunade took a sip of some sake as her assistant, came in and set some down. The assistant had medium long black hair and light brown eyes. She wore a long black robe with white trim, a fishnet shirt peeking out from beneath. She wore sandle like shinobi shoes. At her heels was a little pink pig with a red shirt and pearls around its neck.

"Sakura, you will be mainly working with Kangohei Tsume. He is a medic nin as their Yajuukage has told me. As for the rest of the team, they will probably be in different groups each time. I will explain more tomorrow. Be here early." Tsunade nodded. "You too Kakashi."

Kakashi merely nodded, his mind in several places at once. "Alright, dismissed." Tsunade waved them off.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura turned to Team Seven's leader, "Did you know the Uchiha on that team? You really reacted when his name was called."

"Yes… I did know him." Kakashi replied.

Silence reigned. Sakura and Naruto looked to their mentor expectantly. When no explanation was offered, Naruto spoke up. "Well, how did you know him?"

"Obito is the Uchiha who gave me my Sharingan. Just before he supposedly died, he gave me my Sharingan as a Jounin present, since I had lost my eye only minutes earlier. Our team medic-nin transplanted the eye, then we were attacked by more enemy ninja. Since they were ninja from Hidden Rock, they shattered the surrounding stone and tried to crush us. Only Obito was caught in it. How he survived, I don't know." Kakashi told the painful tale. "Though Obito and I were like water and oil, right before he 'died' he told me what it meant to be a team. You know, the 'those who don't cherish their comrades are lower than trash' line I used when you first became Genin? He's the one who taught me that."

The two nodded. They walked the rest of the way through the large building, ending up outside. "Hey, who's up for some ramen?" Kakashi asked, lightening the mood.

"I am!" Naruto raised his hand. "I really am!"

"Alright, my treat then." Sakura offered. "You guys are always treating me to ramen."

"Why thank you, Sakura-chan!" Naruto grinned, then began to lead the way to the ramen house.

"But first, I need to stop at my house and get some money." Sakura started towards her house. Naruto let out an exasperated sigh, then followed as Kakashi's mind went back to its confused state, but not with out a grin at his team.


Not too much of a cliff hanger, I hope. I did some serious editting on this one, adding and deleting stuff, and finally, its done! Also, I'm going to give translations for names and such...

Akai- (Ah-kai) Red

Kangohei- (kane-go-he) Medic (Note- Kangehei is now Kangohei, as I spelt it wrong the first time.)

Kawa- (Kah-wah) Fur

Kuro- (Cur-O) Black; Dark

Mai- (my) my

Mairu-(my-roo) to call; hum; mile

Ookami- (Oo- kah-me)

Rei- (R-ay) Soul/ghost/spirit; companion; zero; actor

Shiki- (Sh-ee-kee) team morale; four seasons; time of death

Tsuki- (Soo-kee) Moon

Tsume- (Soo-may) Claw

Yajuukage- (Yah-joo-kay-juh) Beast Shadow

Kankurou: Alright, I think we are reeeaaady!

Lee: For what, my youthful friend?

Kiba: To make some trouble!

Shikamaru: Troublesome.

Lee: Review, for the Spring of Life waits for no one!